Insalata Sushi

Ingredients

• 11.5 ounces (326 grams) Japanese short-grain rice
• 1 ½ cups cold water
• 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fruity olive oil
• 0.2 ounces (6 grams) basil, julienned
• 0.07 ounces (2 grams) fennel leaves, trimmed from stems
• 3.9 ounces (110 grams, or about 15) cherry tomatoes
• 0.07 ounces (2 grams) flat-leaf parsley, leaves only
• 2.1 ounces (60 grams) prosciutto di Parma

Instructions

1. 1
   Put the rice in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and rinse with cold water until the water in the bowl is mostly clear. Drain the rice and add it to a heavy bottomed pot with a tight fitting lid along with 1 1/2 cups of cold water.
2. 2
   Bring the water to a boil, lower the heat to low and cover with a lid. Set a timer for 15 minutes (do not open the lid during this time). When the timer goes off, turn off the heat and let the rice steam undisturbed for another 10 minutes.
3. 3
   While you're waiting for the rice to cook, dissolve the salt in the white balsamic vinegar (you can heat it for a few second in the microwave to make this easier). Once the salt is dissolved, add the olive oil and whisk to combine.
4. 4
   When the rice is done, dump it into a large bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the rice. Use a spatula to fold the vinegar in without mashing the grains of rice. Use a fan to quickly cool the rice while you're mixing it. This is the key to getting sushi rice that is very shiny.
5. 5
   When the rice is at room temperature, fold in the basil and fennel leaves.
6. 6
   To plate, mound the rice on a large platter, and then top with the cherry tomatoes, parsley and prosciutto.